Cinque Terre & Liguria: Stage 2

Ligurian coast Cinque Terre long-distance hike stage 2

Map for stage 2

Facts about stage 2

Route: 15,7km
Rise / descent: 840m / 840m
Duration: 06h AM
Height chart: see map (click on button below right)

Stage 2: From Sestri Levante to Moneglia

The second stage of the long-distance hike leads from Sestri Levante via Riva Trigoso to Moneglia. Those who have stayed in Camogli after stage 1 can comfortably travel to Sestri Levante in the morning with the regional train (approx. 30-40 minutes travel time). In any case, it is worth considering not to hike too early in Sestri Levante if you want to plan a lunch break in the restaurant for today. The small coastal town of Riva Trigoso is ideal for this, but you can reach it after about 2 hours of hiking. If you prefer to picnic en route, you should stock up on provisions there at the latest, as there are no shopping or refreshment options between Riva Trigoso and Moneglia.

Stage 2 is very varied, but quite exhausting due to the altitude difference. A total of three times it goes to an altitude of 200-300 meters and back to sea level. But the effort is rewarded with beautiful views.

You can find my recommendations for pensions and hotels at the stage finish here: Accommodation in Moneglia.

Stage 2 pictures

Route description stage 2

Ligurian Coast Cinque Terre Long Distance Hike, Stage 2 03 The first difficulty on stage 2 is already lurking in the pedestrian zone: If you want to find the entrance to the coastal footpath, you have to go through an archway that is easily overlooked (waypoint 1).

The path gains height relatively quickly, which is soon rewarded with a beautiful view back to the colorful houses of Sestri Levante. At waypoint 2 it is worth walking as far forward as possible on the headland: up a flight of stairs to the ruined tower and then a little further if necessary.

At waypoint 3, the descent to Riva Trigoso begins, a coastal town still belonging to Sestri Levante with several restaurants and shops (waypoint 4). When leaving the village, you pass a shipyard belonging to the Fincantieri group of companies, after which nature is back in fashion.

At waypoint 5 you come across another tower ("Torre di Punta Baffe"). From there it goes down again with a beautiful view of the Ligurian coast. The path leads down into a bay where the road between Riva Trigoso and Moneglia briefly emerges from the old tunnel. The last but steepest ascent of the day begins there.

Accommodation tip: Hotel Mondial Moneglia or B&B Fronte Mare (Waypoint 6 and waypoint 7).

 

 

Waypoints on stage 2

In the map included above and in the downloadable GPX files, we have drawn the following waypoints for better orientation:

  • Waypoint 1: Easy to miss: the path leads through a narrow archway.
  • Waypoint 2: Worthwhile viewing point with an old tower
  • Waypoint 3: Turn right and go down to Riva Trigoso
  • Waypoint 4: Riva Trigoso: several options for stopping off
  • Waypoint 5: Torre di Punta Baffe (old tower / viewpoint)
  • Waypoint 6: Hotel Mondial
  • Waypoint 7: B&B Fronte Mare

Accommodation on stage 2:

Ligurian coast Cinque Terre long-distance hike, stage 2 19

Accommodation in Moneglia

Since I almost always prefer well-reviewed guesthouses to regular hotels, my first choice in Moneglia would actually have been the B&B Fronte Mare (link: B&B Fronte Mare). However, since it was fully booked, the Hotel Mondial Moneglia had to serve as a replacement—also a very good choice! The hotel has made the most of its challenging location on the side of a hilltop facing away from the sea: The two building sections are arranged and connected by terraces so that the upper hotel garden...

Continue reading
Frank

You may also like

  1. Arrival at Genoa airport

    Cinque Terre & Liguria: how to get there

    14 October 2021

  2. Preview pdf hiking map Cinque Terre resolution 300 dpi

    Cinque Terre & Liguria: hiking map / downloads

    14 October 2021

  3. Cinque Terre Map 1200px

    The Cinque Terre Card

    13 October 2021

2 Comments

  1. Heidi
    June 22, 2023

    Hi! You can shorten the part from Riva to Moneglia and, above all, save meters in altitude by turning left at waypoint 5. At the next crossroads, turn right towards Monte Communaglia. The path was also very nice, less altitude, unfortunately also little shade. But at least a little.

    Reply
    1. Frank
      June 25, 2023

      Hello Heidi,
      yes, you are right, that works too. You then walk further up and later meet the other path again.
      Regards
      Frank

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Your e-mail address will not be published. Required fields are marked with * marked

Scroll to top
Cancel the contract